So we're screaming along on The Hudson River in about 20 knots of wind on a close reach, we're both sitting on the wing and the damn thing snapped off. I mean the welds tore and we went in and the boat went over. was up with that ? The boat is a 1987 .

Likely, if the FAA had inspected your boat on a regular basis, they would have found cracks in the welds before the ultimate failure. Sailors MUST inspect their boats! There is no governing body that oversees the flight readyness of your Hobie Cat. When the boats are aged, as this one is (over 15 years), maintenence is a must.